U.S. Political Parties That Have Run for President: A Complete Historical List
Ever wonder which political parties have run candidates for president in the United States? While today’s politics are dominated by Democrats and Republicans, American history is full of fascinating parties that once held power—or tried to. This post breaks down the political parties that have fielded presidential candidates, including when they were founded, when they dissolved (if applicable), their first candidate for president, and which—if any—of their candidates won.
Bookmark this post as your go-to guide for American political party history!
1. Federalist Party
Founded: 1789
Dissolved: ~1824
First Presidential Candidate: George Washington (unofficially aligned), John Adams (1796 official nominee)
Successful Presidents: George Washington*, John Adams
Notes: The first U.S. political party, formed by Alexander Hamilton. Washington never formally joined but supported Federalist policies.
2. Democratic-Republican Party
Founded: 1792
Dissolved: ~1834
First Presidential Candidate: Thomas Jefferson (1796)
Successful Presidents: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams
Notes: Founded by Jefferson and Madison in opposition to the Federalists.
3. Democratic Party
Founded: 1828 (traces back to Democratic-Republicans)
Dissolved: Still active
First Presidential Candidate: Andrew Jackson (1828)
Successful Presidents: 17 presidents, including Andrew Jackson, FDR, John F. Kennedy, and Joe Biden
Notes: The oldest active political party in the U.S.
4. National Republican Party
Founded: 1825
Dissolved: 1834
First Presidential Candidate: John Quincy Adams (1828)
Successful Presidents: None (Adams was elected before the party formed)
Notes: A short-lived offshoot of the Democratic-Republicans.
5. Whig Party
Founded: 1834
Dissolved: 1856
First Presidential Candidate: William Henry Harrison (1836)
Successful Presidents: William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor
Notes: Formed in opposition to Andrew Jackson. Collapsed over divisions about slavery.
6. Republican Party
Founded: 1854
Dissolved: Still active
First Presidential Candidate: John C. Frémont (1856)
Successful Presidents: 19 presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump
Notes: Formed to oppose the expansion of slavery.
7. Liberty Party
Founded: 1840
Dissolved: 1848
First Presidential Candidate: James G. Birney (1840)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: The first U.S. party formed solely to oppose slavery.
8. Free Soil Party
Founded: 1848
Dissolved: 1854
First Presidential Candidate: Martin Van Buren (1848)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Opposed the expansion of slavery; later merged into the Republican Party.
9. Know Nothing (American) Party
Founded: 1844 (as Native American Party)
Dissolved: 1860
First Presidential Candidate: Millard Fillmore (1856)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic platform.
10. Constitutional Union Party
Founded: 1860
Dissolved: 1860
First Presidential Candidate: John Bell (1860)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: A one-election party aiming to avoid secession by ignoring slavery debates.
11. Southern Democratic Party (1860)
Founded: 1860 (split from Democrats)
Dissolved: 1860
First Presidential Candidate: John C. Breckinridge (1860)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Represented pro-slavery Southern interests.
12. National Union Party
Founded: 1864
Dissolved: 1868
First Presidential Candidate: Abraham Lincoln (1864, running as a Republican with a Democratic VP)
Successful Presidents: Abraham Lincoln (second term)
Notes: A temporary wartime coalition.
13. Prohibition Party
Founded: 1869
Dissolved: Still active (minimal presence)
First Presidential Candidate: James Black (1872)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Focused on banning alcohol. The longest-operating third party.
14. Greenback Party
Founded: 1874
Dissolved: 1889
First Presidential Candidate: Peter Cooper (1876)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Advocated for paper money not backed by gold.
15. Populist (People’s) Party
Founded: 1891
Dissolved: ~1908
First Presidential Candidate: James B. Weaver (1892)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Agrarian reformers. Endorsed William Jennings Bryan in 1896.
16. Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party)
Founded: 1912
Dissolved: 1916
First Presidential Candidate: Theodore Roosevelt (1912)
Successful Presidents: None (Roosevelt previously elected as Republican)
Notes: Roosevelt split from Republicans to run as a Progressive.
17. Socialist Party of America
Founded: 1901
Dissolved: 1972
First Presidential Candidate: Eugene V. Debs (1904 under Socialist banner)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Gained millions of votes in early 1900s.
18. Communist Party USA
Founded: 1919
Dissolved: Still active
First Presidential Candidate: William Z. Foster (1932)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Never gained major national support due to Cold War opposition.
19. States’ Rights Democratic Party (Dixiecrats)
Founded: 1948
Dissolved: 1948
First Presidential Candidate: Strom Thurmond (1948)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Segregationist Democrats who split from the national party.
20. American Independent Party
Founded: 1967
Dissolved: Still exists in limited form
First Presidential Candidate: George Wallace (1968)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Far-right party formed to oppose civil rights legislation.
21. Reform Party
Founded: 1995
Dissolved: Still active
First Presidential Candidate: Ross Perot (1996)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Founded by Perot after a strong independent campaign in 1992.
22. Green Party of the United States
Founded: 2001 (roots in 1980s)
Dissolved: Still active
First Presidential Candidate: Ralph Nader (2000)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Focus on environmental issues and social justice.
23. Libertarian Party
Founded: 1971
Dissolved: Still active
First Presidential Candidate: John Hospers (1972)
Successful Presidents: None
Notes: Emphasizes small government and individual liberty.
Final Thoughts
The United States has a rich political tapestry beyond just Democrats and Republicans. These parties—some long gone and others still fighting for relevance—reflect the evolving issues, values, and tensions in American society over the centuries.
